Thinking of getting a solar-powered battery for your home or business to protect you from the next power outage? Here’s six tips to help you figure it out.
Contact our Help Desk with any questions at [email protected]. We are happy to help you!
1. Decide why you want a battery
Some reasons might include:
- You want to keep your power on during a blackout. If these events cause serious problems for your household, then batteries might be a worthwhile investment.
- You want to avoid paying high “Time of Use” evening rates. If this is causing your electricity bill to increase a lot, it might make sense to get a battery. However, this also depends on how much electricity you use in the evening. If you don’t use much, then you may not be affected much by increasing evening rates.
- Your 20-year net metering contract with the utility has expired, and you are now not getting much for the extra energy that your solar panels make.
2. Know whether you are on "net metering" or the "solar billing tariff"
For customers of PG&E, SDG&E, and SoCal Edison, getting a battery can have a different value depending on if you got your solar before or after April 2023:
- If you got solar before April 2023: you are on a rate plan known as Net Metering (also known as NEM1 or NEM2).
- If you got solar after April 2023: you are on a rate plan known as the Solar Billing Tariff. The Solar Billing Tariff pays much less than Net Metering for the extra solar energy you share with your neighbors. This means that a battery investment will likely pay for itself faster.
- Customers of local public utilities will usually have some version of the above.
- A good solar installer should be able to explain this clearly to you.
Are there incentives for getting a battery?
California offers a rebate for a portion of the cost of a battery storage system—if you are considered by the state to be either low-income or with special medical needs, and will use the battery for daily energy use, not as a backup. Your solar installer will be able to help you determine your eligibility, and will also handle the rebate paperwork.
3. Get a sense of what kind of battery products are out there
The battery market is always changing, and there are more options than ever. However, most of us are not experts in battery technology, and must rely on our solar company to select the right battery product for us.
We think that is fine, but it also cannot hurt to do a little research on your own to understand the different battery options out there. This will help you ask more informed questions, and make a more confident choice.
The internet has lots of information on batteries. We think The Energy Show podcast is a particularly good resource for consumers. It is produced by a reputable, experienced solar installer, Barry Cinnamon, and has a number of segments with up-to-date, actionable information.
4. Get an estimate from the company that installed your solar system—and at least two others if your warranty allows it
If you already have solar, give your installer a call and ask them for an estimate.
We also recommend you get bids from two other solar companies. Make that three bids if your original solar company went out of business.
In some cases, only the company that installed your solar system can also install a battery. Check your warranty to be sure.
5) Follow these steps to find reputable solar companies
Start with a strong referral or two
It’s great to have a referral from someone you trust who already has a battery.
Make sure they are a CALSSA member
We highly recommend that you look for installers who are members of the California Solar & Storage Association (CALSSA). CALSSA requires all members to sign a code of ethics that commits member companies to consumer-friendly practices. CALSSA also works to keep member companies up to date on all the changing codes & standards and regulations. Find a CALSSA-member installer.
Make sure their contractor license is current
You can look a company up at the state licensing board.
Check their reviews
Make sure online reviews from Yelp, Reddit, NextDoor, and Google Business are generally good with no major flags.
Make sure they have experience installing batteries
Installing a battery can be complicated, so it is good to go with someone with experience.
Optional: See if they are NABCEP certified
The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is considered one of the most rigorous training and certification programs in the country. Keep in mind that many good solar installers don’t have this certification, but you might still take it into consideration. Find a NABCEP-certified installer in your area.
What about door-to-door salespeople?
It might be worth listening to their pitch and taking down their information. However, we recommend you do not sign up on the spot with someone at the door. Take their information and look them up, using the tips listed above. If they pass muster, then consider them along with one or two other installers.
6. Expect some delays and complexity
Barry Cinnamon, owner of Cinnamon Energy Systems and host of The Energy Show podcast says that installers should provide accurate estimates for the installation of a battery storage system and prepare customers for some possible uncertainties:
- Delays: The utilities often slow-walk the process of interconnecting your new storage system to the grid.
- Electrical wiring issues: Wiring the backup subpanel and connecting some of the parts to your electric panel can be tricky and expensive depending on the location of circuits in the house and the age of your electric system. Installers should provide an accurate estimate for this work.
- Your payback period: Remember that your energy habits may change over time, and your installer’s estimate relies on your current habits.
Contact our Help Desk with your questions
Contact our Help Desk with any questions at [email protected]. We are happy to help you!
